Trump Loses It and Wants Big War to Hide Past!!

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast — “Trump Loses It and Wants Big War to Hide Past!!”

Date: February 14, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Episode Theme:
The episode dives deep into the recent escalations by Donald Trump, who, as mounting revelations about his administration’s alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein surface, appears to push for war with Iran. The Meiselas brothers analyze Trump’s rhetoric, the disturbing timing of war talk, Congress’s partial shutdown, and draw connections to efforts to deflect from scandal. The hosts also touch on the current economic struggles in the U.S. and the wild state of right-wing politics.

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on Donald Trump’s apparent attempt to use international conflict—specifically a proposed war with Iran—as a distraction amid damaging revelations about his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The Meiselas brothers discuss the transparency of this strategy, reactions from political figures, Trump’s incoherent justifications, and the broader implications for American democracy and the country's stability.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Epstein Files and Distraction by War

• [01:24] The hosts report new emails tying Epstein closely to Trump’s administration, with claims about official trips to Epstein Island and promises made to figures like Bill Gates.
• [01:40] As these revelations break, Trump pivots dramatically, touting imminent military action against Iran. The hosts frame this as “classic wag the dog” (using war to distract from scandal).

Quote:
“Now Donald Trump’s like, we gotta go to war. Time for some wag the dog action and we're going to go to war with Iran right now to try to distract from the Epstein files.”
— Political Commentator (02:00)

2. Congressional Stalemate and Obstruction

• With Trump’s pressure mounting and the Epstein file disclosures, Congress is partially shutdown. The Meiselas brothers point this out as a calculated obstruction, with “MAGA Mike” and Senator Thune pushing for a 10-day recess to avoid further oversight or accountability.

3. Trump’s Iran Rhetoric — Incoherence and Escalation

• [03:56] Trump is quoted in press interactions expressing vague support for “regime change” in Iran, but offering no clear plan.
• The brothers highlight inconsistencies, such as Trump claiming Iranian nuclear sites were already “obliterated,” yet still pushing for further attacks.

Memorable Quote:
“They've already started. [...] We have tremendous power has arrived and additional power, as you know, and other carriers going out.”
— Donald Trump (Clip, 03:56)

• [04:40] When asked what Iran can do to prevent an attack, Trump cryptically suggests, “Make a deal with me,” with no details or strategy.

4. Lack of Transparency and Accountability

• [05:33] Upon being asked, "Who would you want to take over [in Iran]?", Trump refuses to answer:
  Quote:
  “I don't want to talk about that.”
  — Donald Trump (Clip, 05:33)

• The hosts note that responsible leaders outline post-war goals, while Trump dodges.

5. Political Figures Expressing Fear

• [06:24] The brothers draw attention to Rep. Thomas Massie’s public statement asserting that he is not suicidal, as a preemptive measure for his safety after pushing for Epstein file transparency.
• This is framed as reflective of the nation's fraught political climate:
  Quote:
  “Maga Republican, not a MAGA anymore, Republican Thomas Massie writes, 'I’m not suicidal. I eat healthy food…' That’s where we’re at.”
  — Political Commentator (approx. 07:05)

6. Trump’s Election Interference Rhetoric

• Trump posts on social media about unilaterally enforcing voter ID and restricting mail-in ballots, despite lacking the authority, amplifying fears of election interference.

7. Exposing Trump’s Grifter Tactics

• The hosts call out Trump’s scam emails promising Dogecoin and tariff rebate checks, which are just fundraising grifts:
  Quote:
  “When you click on the link, it tells you to give money to Trump. If you want the Doge rebate check, you need to pay Trump. And then he doesn't give you the Doge dividend check.”
  — Political Commentator (approx. 08:55)

8. More Diversions: The Greenland “Negotiations”

• [09:34] Trump again references “negotiating to take over Greenland,” which hosts dismiss as another distraction:
  Quote:
  “Every time he says that, it's like, we get it. You don't want us to talk about the Epstein files. That you appear 38,000 times on the unredacted files, a million times in the redacted files. Here it is right here. Let's play it.”
  — Political Commentator

9. Salacious GOP Gossip and Political Dysfunction

• Hosts share reports of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s (alleged) affair and related staff drama, using it as an example of ongoing chaos in GOP circles.
• Marco Rubio canceled meetings with Ukraine at a critical time, indicating U.S. foreign policy disarray.

10. Economic Hardships for Average Americans

• The episode closes with sobering statistics: rising debt, surging consumer delinquencies, the burden of tariffs, and even Americans selling plasma to make ends meet.

Quote:
“Middle class Americans are struggling so much to afford rent that they are selling their plasma to make ends meet. And the donation of plasma industry is that's, that's where jobs are being created right now because Americans can't afford anything. So they're giving their plasma away.”
— Political Commentator (11:30)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Wag The Dog Tactics:
  “You’re going to now recklessly and maliciously get Americans killed potentially and put Americans into war to cover up the Epstein files.”
  — Political Commentator (02:15)

• On Trump’s Confusing Iran Justifications:
  “What can Iran do to avoid attack? Give us the deal that they should have given us the first time. They give us the right deal, we won't do that. But... they do a lot of talking and no action.”
  — Donald Trump (Clip, 04:40)

• On the Absurdity of Distraction Attempts:
  “Yesterday he was like, we're going after Greenland again. We're, I'm negotiating to take over Greenland. Okay? Every time he says that, it's like, we get it. You don't want us to talk about the Epstein files.”
  — Political Commentator (09:25)

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Timestamps: Important Segments

• 01:24: Epstein revelations and Trump’s sudden push for war
• 03:56: Trump’s press clips and incoherent Iran statements
• 05:33: Trump’s evasion on post-regime change plans for Iran
• 06:24: Congressional shutdown and Rep. Thomas Massie’s fear for safety
• 07:45: Trump grasping for distractions, including Greenland reference
• 10:20: GOP gossip and foreign policy dysfunction
• 11:25: American economic hardships

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Tone & Style

• The brothers maintain a direct, irreverent, and outraged tone, blending biting critique with comedic asides and personal incredulity.
• The episode is densely packed with current events, urgent warnings about democratic backsliding, and an undercurrent of dark humor.

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Useful for Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This summary encapsulates the full arc of the Meiselas brothers’ discussion: from the breaking scandal of Trump’s tangled ties with Epstein, through his erratic foreign policy saber-rattling, the dysfunction of Congress, scams targeting his supporters, chaotic right-wing politics, and pressing economic issues facing everyday Americans. The episode is a rallying call for vigilance and accountability, delivered with the trademark energy and skepticism of the MeidasTouch crew.

Transcript

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[Political Commentator]

As Donald Trump is getting absolutely buried in his dark past as emails reveal just how close Epstein was to his first administration. And apparently the administration was taking a trip to Epstein Island. That's what Epstein was telling people like Bill Gates and others. Now Donald Trump's like, we gotta go to war. Time for some wag the dog action and we're going to go to war with Iran right now to try to distract from the Epstein files. And two things are happening at the same time right now. There's a confluence of factors here. So you have Congress shutting down maga, Mike, Senator Thune saying that Congress will be in recess for 10 days so Congress can't do the work and oversight that it's been doing such a great job at. And then you have Donald Trump posting videos and photos of aircraft carriers heading to Iran, another aircraft carrier group there. And what we're hearing is, is that the Trump regime is not just planning surgical strikes, but the plan would be a multi month war in Iran according to some of the latest reports right there. And this is obviously, I mean like we're not stupid. I mean you're going to now recklessly and maliciously get Americans killed potentially and put Americans into war to cover up the Epstein files. I mean, just look what Donald Trump's been saying over the past, you know, 24, 48 hours about going to war. He was asked, well, what can this is. He took a trip to Fort Bragg. I did a whole video on this Fort Bragg, North Carolina trip was just, you know, utter insanity. But, you know, while he was doing that and before and after, he was speaking with the press and they were like, do you want regime change in Iran? He's like, yeah, I want regime change. By the way, you promised the Iranian protesters, like last month, almost two months ago at this point, that if Iran killed, if the Ayatollah killed any protesters, you had their back right away. And you didn't even have the aircraft carrier groups then. Thousands, tens of thousands, potentially 20 plus thousand Iranians were killed based on what Trump did. This was any other president. It would be described as one of the biggest betrayals ever. But that's what we're calling it here on the Midas Dutch network here. Donald Trump talks about regime change in Iran as more of these emails and the Trump regime redactions of the Epstein files are being exposed. Let's play this clip.

[Donald Trump (Clip)]

They've already started. Well, it seems like that would be the best thing that could happen. For 47 years, they've been talking and talking and talking. In the meantime, we've lost a lot of lives while they talk and legs blown off, arms blown off, faces blown off. Has been going on for a long time. So let's see what happens in the meantime. We have, meantime we have tremendous power has arrived and additional power, as you know, and other carriers going out.

[Political Commentator]

And then he's asked, well, what can Iran do to avoid an attack? He's like, I don't know. Make a deal with me. Make a deal with me. Make a deal with you over what? Didn't you say that the nuclear arsenal was totally obliterated? But he's like, they can make a deal with me. Play this clip.

[Donald Trump (Clip)]

What can Iran do to avoid attack? Give us the deal that they should have given us the first time. They give us the right deal, we won't do that. But you know, his. Historically, they haven't done that. They, I will say they want to talk, but so far they do a lot of talking and no action.

[Political Commentator]

Okay, well, Donald, what's your plan then? Okay. You know, normally when people go to war, even wars that the US shouldn't get into, they at least give some sort of plan, like who do you want to lead next? What's your vision? What if you do regime change? Who's the next regime? What do you want to tell the American people about this, Donald? And to me, this is one of the biggest tells that this is just a cover up for the Epstein files. He's like, there are peeps, there are people. I'm not going to tell you who it is, but there are people who can do it. Here, play this clip so we'll see it.

[Donald Trump (Clip)]

How if we could get it settled for once and for all, that'd be good. Who would you want to take over? Who would you want to take over? I don't want to talk about that.

[Political Commentator]

Secretary Duffy. And then the reporter asks him a good question and says, look, you said that you obliterated all the Iranian nuclear site. So if it's all obliterated, why would you have to go back to war to obliterate it if it was already obliterated last June? That doesn't really make sense, Donald. Here, play this clip inside that.

[Donald Trump (Clip)]

The radiant nuclear sites have been totally obliterated. What's left to go after? Well, you could get whatever the dust is down there. That's really the least of the missions. If we do it, that would be the least of the mission. But we, you know, probably grab whatever's. Whatever's left. It has been obliterated.

[Political Commentator]

As you know, it doesn't make sense because he's a freaking liar. And you want to know some of the other tells about what's going on here as well. You have people like Massie and Khanna who are responsible for getting these Epstein files out there, who are truly courageous, especially when it comes to the Epstein files stuff. They are fearing for their life right now. So just put all the factors together. Maga, Mike shuts down Congress. We're in a partial government shutdown mode right now. Right now, yet again, deja vu. Donald Trump then says, we're about to get into war with Iran. I think any moment now that the strikes in Iran could be taking place. Trump starts sending photos of aircraft carrier groups. And you have maga. Republican, not a MAGA anymore. Republican Thomas Massie writes, I'm not suicidal. I eat healthy food. The brakes on my car and truck are in good shape. I practice good trigger discipline and never point a gun at anyone, including myself. There are no deep pools of water on my farm, and I am a pretty good swimmer. That's. That's where we're at. And then you get posts like this from Donald Trump. The. It just Goes to show you he's going to try to block voting in the midterms. He goes, the Democrats refuse to vote for voter ID or citizenship. The reason is simple. They want to cheat in elections. Wah, wah, wah, wah, wah. Then Donald Trump goes, there will be voter ID for the midterm elections, whether approved by Congress or not. I so declare. Also, the people of our country are insisting on citizenship and no mail in ballots with exceptions for military, disability, illness or travel. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Then he posts another one that's just as long. I mean, look at. I don't want to read this. It's so utterly deranged. Here. Here was an article from the Bulwark that I like and we've been talking about this at the Midas Touch network for some time. Trump promised 5,000 doge dividend checks, 2,000 per household stimulus checks, savings from government health care spending, but none of them materialize because he is a fraud in everything he does. And instead, Donald Trump sends emails like this. As we posted, Trump also constantly sends scam emails like this one to his supporters, dangling promises of Doge or tariff rebate checks. But when you click on the link, it tells you to give money to Trump. If you want the Doge rebate check, you need to pay Trump. And then he doesn't give you the Doge dividend check. It is all one big fugazi. And again, you want to see more signs of him wagging the dog and trying to avoid, you know, talking about the Epstein files. Yesterday he was like, we're going after Greenland again. We're, I'm negotiating to take over Greenland. Okay? Every time he says that, it's like, we get it. You don't want us to talk about the Epstein files. That you appear 38,000 times on the unredacted files, a million times in the redacted files. Here it is right here. Let's play it.

[Donald Trump (Clip)]

I think Greenland's going to want us, but we get along very well with Europe. We'll see how it all works out. We're negotiating right now for Greenland.

[Political Commentator]

Love, Governor Newsom. Making posts like this, breaking Kristi Noem blanket reveal. Because as I'm sure you know now from the reporting of the Wall Street Journal, and we talked about this yesterday, people believe that Kristi Noem's having an affair with Corey Lewandowski. They people, they don't really hide it. Apparently they're like make out with each other in public, according to sources. Allegedly, I'll make it very clear, allegedly is what's out there. My opinion, allegedly, and apparently it's part of what would go down when a pilot, a Coast Guard pilot didn't give Kristine, you know, forgot to hand Kristi Noem her blanket. They fired the Coast Guard pilot, but then they realized they didn't have a pilot, so they had to rehire the pilot. I mean, it's just, it is so utterly bizarre. And I'm going to do a whole other video on the, on the Munich conference, but it's worth pointing out as well that Marco Rubio canceled his meetings with Ukraine that were supposed to take place. The big Ukrainian meetings with Europe. Rubio canceled. And then as Carl Quintanilla writes, it's been that kind of week. Here are some of the headlines from this week. Americas with higher incomes are starting to fall behind on payments. Rising debt levels and more missed payments push financial stress gauge to its highest level ever. US consumer delinquencies are at its highest since 2017. US businesses and consumers are paying 95, 90% of tariffs costs according to the New Year the New York Fed and middle class Americans are struggling so much to afford rent that they are selling their plasma to make ends meet. And the donation of plasma industry is that's, that's where jobs are being created right now because Americans can't afford anything. So they're giving their plasma away. So there you have it folks. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million and thank you everybody for watching. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our [e-mail] you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski ad free episodes of our podcast and more exclusive content only [e-mail].

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[Political Commentator]

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